SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new payment system in place at 14 KFC/Taco Bell restaurants in the Los Angeles area gives new meaning to the phrase "dine and dash."

Mobile payment platform provider Kuapay and Great American Chicken Corp (GACC), franchisee of 71 LA-area KFC locations, today announced the launch of the Kuapay system in 14-stores, making it fast and easy for diners to pay for purchases using a smartphone. The launch follows a 2-month pilot program and encompasses locations in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Ontario area, including stores near Loyola Marymount University, and UC-Irvine.

The new payment system is a first in the U.S. for GACC, which operates some 71 Yum! Brands locations as a franchisee. Yum! Brands include KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brands worldwide.

Kuapay is the premiere mobile payment platform that incorporates coupons, reward cards and loyalty programs, as well as the ability to pay with all major credit cards directly from your phone.

How it Works

To use Kuapay, first download the Kuapay Mobile Wallet app to your device and link any credit or debit card; Kuapay is compatible with iOS, Android and BlackBerry. After placing a food order, the cashier will scan the Kuapay QR code on your phone. The bill of sale is instantly displayed on your mobile device. Simply tap to approve the payment, and you're done.

GACC Aims for New Customers and Capabilities

The new Kuapay system enables GACC's LA-area locations to capitalize on the growing mobile payments trend. Tony Frazier, Chief Operations Officer for GACC, believes the sleek payment platform compliments the chain's move toward a more high-tech, trendy atmosphere that will enable the company to attract new customers and a broader demographic.

"The mobile revolution has dramatically changed the way people shop and pay, and this new system from Kuapay enables us to eliminate barriers that limit customers to only certain types of payments," Frazier said. "Now, customers can pay however they'd like quickly and securely, which we expect will help us attract a younger demographic at our KFC restaurants and enhance the customer experience across all our locations."

In addition to enhancing the point of sale experience, GACC also aims to use Kuapay's built-in mobile marketing program to attract new customers with targeted mobile promotions by offering Kuapay users a "spend $15, earn $3 back" loyalty program.

"Rather than blanket the entire area with coupons, Kuapay lets us more carefully target our efforts to reach a more receptive and captive audience, and get a better return on our investment," Frazier said.

"The quick-service restaurant environment is particularly conducive to Kuapay's mobile payment system. Kuapay speeds the transaction process to get customers on their way," said Kuapay founder and CEO Joaquin Ayuso de Paul. "The system delivers near-immediate ROI with low merchant transaction fees, zero start-up fees and no-commitment monthly pricing."

"And in this case, Kuapay fits in nicely with the high-tech vibe of GACC's Future Store Network," de Paul added, referencing the company's move to implement free Wi-Fi, 47" hi-definition TVs with full cable service and other in-store technology at many locations.

Kuapay is currently serving quickservice, restaurant, and retail locations throughout southern California and New York. The company has integrations with traditional POS software providers like Micros, Positouch, and Dinerware.

Founded in 2010, Kuapay is the premiere mobile payment option on the market today. Based in Santa Monica, Calif., Kuapay enables fast, secure mobile payments with your smartphone wherever credit cards are accepted. Kuapay is free for users and merchants pay only the payment processing fee, with no setup fees or monthly subscription fees. Kuapay has offices in Santa Monica, New York, Santiago de Chile, and Madrid, with rollouts in additional U.S. locations coming soon. For more information, visit www.kuapay.com.

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